very true..he was our 1 and only option and that really was our missing ingredient.. and i bet slats new with this lockout hed be able to get out of the contract if he wasnt living up to it.. time will tell but writing is on the wall for him.. either step up or get the **** out..

the only thing is you do need a world class center but would you classify krejci and bergeron even comparable to top centers in the game that won cups previously.. Toews, crosby, dats/zet, kopitar?

i think depth is key to success.. guys that are interchangeable and could play in any situation..

Krejci and Bergeron are excellent players who would take up the 1st and 2nd Center spots on most teams. They may not be at that all world skill level like Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, but they are a playoff performer and a Selke winner respectively.

I take everything Brooks writes with a grain of salt, but that's bad news that he doesn't have a short memory (Richards). Get over it and work to improve. It won't just come naturally anymore Braddy boy, you're going on 33.

I take everything Brooks writes with a grain of salt, but that's bad news that he doesn't have a short memory (Richards). Get over it and work to improve. It won't just come naturally anymore Braddy boy, you're going on 33.

John Mitchel has as many points as Richards and Vinny Prospal has more.

....man that burns.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenjets36

We got him till the nice old age of 72 with this current contract.

Not a chance. With amnesty buyout and back loaded penalties there's no way he's sticking around with playing average to below average. I'm just glad we didn't give up a kings ransom to Dallas to get him.

Its obvious Richards has become a head case. It can happen. But just as easily as you can lose your confidence you can get it back. Hopefully that happens for him, but one has to think that this funk hes in is partly physical. Thats something that cant be remedied right now so its really up to him to get extra coy out there and outwit opponents creatively. He has that ability.

Its obvious Richards has become a head case. It can happen. But just as easily as you can lose your confidence you can get it back. Hopefully that happens for him, but one has to think that this funk hes in is partly physical. Thats something that cant be remedied right now so its really up to him to get extra coy out there and outwit opponents creatively. He has that ability.

Hopefully he snaps out of it starting tonight.

But I wouldnt bet on it.

If he came into the season out of shape, that is absolutely inexcusable. It seems like some guys were hoping for a season long lockout.

If he came into the season out of shape, that is absolutely inexcusable. It seems like some guys were hoping for a season long lockout.

I'd say its fairly obvious. But, you would think by now he would have to be in shape playing the past few months.

Me? Call me a cynic but I feel he is just lazy, disinterested and he doesn't look like he cares at all and is just here for the $ and easy road to retirement. I gave him the benefit of the doubt weeks ago, but now we are getting towards the postseason and he is still playing like a moron. Unacceptable, especially when he has that A on his sweater.

I'd say its fairly obvious. But, you would think by now he would have to be in shape playing the past few months.

Me? Call me a cynic but I feel he is just lazy, disinterested and he doesn't look like he cares at all and is just here for the $ and easy road to retirement. I gave him the benefit of the doubt weeks ago, but now we are getting towards the postseason and he is still playing like a moron. Unacceptable, especially when he has that A on his sweater.

Hoping he turns it around, but I am not holding my breath.

I don't believe he was that keen on rejoining Tortorella to play out the string. It doesn't make any sense. That being said I don't know why he sucks. Maybe he doesn't know why he sucks. But I don't think it's because he doesn't care.

I don't believe he was that keen on rejoining Tortorella to play out the string. It doesn't make any sense. That being said I don't know why he sucks. Maybe he doesn't know why he sucks. But I don't think it's because he doesn't care.

I know I'm in the minority here, but last year Richards had 25G and 41A for a total of 66 points, a solid season. As god awful as he's been this year, he's got 16 points in 29 games. Which, if extended over an 82 game season (assuming a full training camp, which would help Richards), he would end up with 45 points. A bad year for his standards, but not an AWFUL, DREADFUL, INVISIBLE year like he's often accused of having.

Richards will turn this around come playoff time, and will be much better next year after an entire training camp. He was money last year in the playoffs for us, people conveniently seem to forget that. He also has a Stanley Cup, and is a proven leader and winner, he deserves more respect.

I know I'm in the minority here, but last year Richards had 25G and 41A for a total of 66 points, a solid season. As god awful as he's been this year, he's got 16 points in 29 games. Which, if extended over an 82 game season (assuming a full training camp, which would help Richards), he would end up with 45 points. A bad year for his standards, but not an AWFUL, DREADFUL, INVISIBLE year like he's often accused of having.

Richards will turn this around come playoff time, and will be much better next year after an entire training camp. He was money last year in the playoffs for us, people conveniently seem to forget that. He also has a Stanley Cup, and is a proven leader and winner, he deserves more respect.

As he is very consistent in these departments you have bolded and he's making the money he makes, he is an embarrassment to the franchise and every Rangers fan . His game is not close to being what it is on average for him. It's deflating rapidly. The article yesterday makes him sound like a head case spending as much time on an analysts couch as he is on the ice FFS! People have zero sympathy for a guy making $9 million with insecurity issues.

He should be benched just for making those quotes. Get out there and play every shift like you actually have some pride in yourself.